Ribbon for typewriting and similar machines



Feb. 13, 1923. y LMSAQ, w. E. B. BAKER.

RIBBON FOR TYFEWRITING AND SIMILAR MACHINES.

FILED MAR.11.1919.

a fue@ and yet is flexible.

Fatented Feb.. i3, i923..

@NTE @AYES maar ortie RIBBON FOR TYPEWRITING AND SIMILAR MACHINES.

Application led March 11, 1919.

To all whom if may con/cern.'

Be it knolwn that I, WEBSTER E. B. BAKER, a citizen of the United States, and residing at York, county of York, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ribbons for Typewritlng and Similar Machines, of which the following is a specification. p

The present invention rela-tes to inking ribbons or sheets' such -as are employed in printing mechanisms in which the ink is not applied directly to the impression means, for example, typewriting, multigraphing, and adding machines, and time and dating stamps. Type opei'ating with prior ribbons do not produce clear, solid-line impressions, such as are obtained by the type acting directly on the printing surface, for the reason that the surface of prior ribbons have not been smooth. Thus the threads of fabric ribbons and the surface roughness of paper ribbons interrupt the continuity and evenness of the impressions. The unevenness and blurring obtained with prior ribbons are particularly notice-able when coinpared with the printing or engraving of letterheads, or other printed matter appearing on the same sheet.

The principal object of the present invention is to eliminate the defects of prior inking ribbons and provide a ribbon which will produce clean cut solid-line printing in harmony with printing, engraving or embossing which may appear on the same sheet.

To these ends an inking ribbonor sheet constructed in accordance with this invention comprises a base which is treated so as to present a smooth, hard surface thus eliminating the inequalities in the impressions due to the structure of the material forming the base. Preferably thisis accomplished by applying to the base a suitable material to fill up the interstices in the base and provide a smooth, uninterrupted hard surface on at least one side of the base. Preferably a base is employed comprising a fabric such as cotton orv silk as thin as possible consistent with the required strength and durability, although the invention is applicable to other materials, such as paper. To this base is applied as by impregnating or coating a substance which `will adhere securely to the same, fill up the interstices and form a sheet which presents a hard, smooth sur- For this purpose, l.' have found any of the substances of the cel- Seral No. 282,016.

lulose-ester group to be satisfactory, and also starch-esters. As examples of these substances viscose and starch acetate may be employed, but I prefer viscose. coated or impregnated with such a substance presents a hard, smooth surface and the substance will hold and tosome extent absorb ink. ,Furtliermora because of the smooth,

uninterrupted hard surface thus formed the impressions obtained are even7 sharp, and clear, like printing obtained from inked type. Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the description taken. in connection with the drawings in which:

Figure l is an enlarged sectional View of an inking ribbon or sheet constructed in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a similar view of another form 75 ing b. The pressure will force the substance into tlie-interstices of the base so that at least one surfaceof the sheet is smooth and uninterrupted. To this smooth surface a suitable ink c is applied, and to some extent this coating ofink stance of the coating o.

In Figure 2 another form of the invention is illustrated. The inking sheet of this form is like that described above, but a coating d is applied on the surface of the base opposite the coating Zi. The coating a? consists of the same material as the coating b and the material with which the base is impregnated. The impressions obtained when using a ribbon as illustrated in even, unblurred and solid-lined, for the reason that the effect of the threads, fiber, grain or roughness of the base has been eliminated by the viscose or other material with which the base is impregnated. Furthermore, Vas

the viscose or similar material possesses considerable strength, and absorbs the' blows of the type striking on the ribbon, the vbase itself may he made thinner than heretofore.

,In fact the entire thickness of a ribbon constructed in accordance with this invention is less than the usual prior ribbons, and con- A base 60 base is applied a substance 80 will be absorbed by the sub- 9c Figures l and 2 will be 10o of the coating is obtained. rl`his feature inA turn permits the use ot a coating of the minimum thickness.

An inking sheet, according to this invention does not act to fill up the type with ink and fiber from the fabric of the ribbon, for the reason that in the form of Figure 2 the coating (Z prevents this and in the form of Figure 1, the base is dry on the side struck by the type,

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that the invention is not thus limited but includes modifications and changes which come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A sheet of the character described, comprising a base coated on both faces with a tough, smooth, flexible material, and a suitable ink applied to one of the surfaces of the coated sheet.

2. A sheet of the character described, comprising a base coated on both faces with a tough, smooth, flexible substance of the cellulose-ester group, and a suitable ink applied to one of the surfaces of the coated sheet.

3. A sheet of the character described, comprising a base coated on both faces with viscose, and a suitable ink applied to one of the surfaces of the coated sheet.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WEBSTER E. B. BAKER. 

